Sombre, proud return to ice

Bostonians can have fun again as Bruins play

Owen Halley, 10, was one of many Boston fans who put a defiant attitude on display at the TD Garden Wednesday night. (CHRISTOPHER EVANS / BOSTON HERALD / MCT)

BOSTON -- Emerging from a moment of silence with a deafening cheer, fans at Wednesday night's Bruins game paid tribute to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing with a stirring national anthem and a thunderous chant of "U.S.A.!"

The sold-out crowd at the first major sporting event in the city since Monday's attack lined up for metal-detecting wands and random car inspections to get into the TD Garden. Once inside, they watched a sombre video with scenes from the marathon that ended with the words, "We are Boston, We are Strong."

The players on the ice for the opening faceoff banged their sticks in the traditional hockey salute, drifting back off the blue-lines so that they, too, could see the video. The Boston Fire Department Honor Guard brought out the U.S. flag to honour the first responders who rushed to the aid of the three killed and more than 170 injured by the twin bombs at the marathon finish line.

Longtime Boston Garden troubadour Rene Rancourt took his place for The Star-Spangled Banner. But he sang only the first few lines, allowing the crowd to carry the tune while he pumped his fist to keep time.

It was an emotional return to normal life for the city, which has been dazed by the attacks on one of its signature and most beloved events. Monday's scheduled NHL game against Ottawa was rescheduled, and Tuesday night's Celtics game was cancelled outright.

The Bruins said they were determined to help the city move on.

"You're trying to live your life in peace, and there's people trying to disrupt that," coach Claude Julien said after the team's morning skate. "The people trying to live their life in peace are going to stick together."

Players on both teams wore "Boston Strong" decals on their helmets, and the Garden was illuminated outside in blue and yellow, the colours of the marathon organizers, the Boston Athletic Association. Another thunderous cheer welcomed the first responders from the state and local police were recognized in the second period.

"I'm sure tonight will be full of emotion," forward Chris Kelly said Wednesday morning. "If we can go play hard to help the city of Boston in any way we can, I know everybody in this locker-room would be willing to do that.

"We love the city. We want to help in any way we can -- if we can give them 10 minutes of joy, or 20 hours of joy -- anything we can do."

That was already accomplished 5:45 into the first period, when Daniel Paille's goal to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead over the Buffalo Sabres brought a raucous chant of "We are Boston!" The chant was repeated in the final three minutes but interrupted by Cody Hodgson's power-play goal with 26.6 seconds left in regulation that sent the game into overtime tied 2-2.

The Sabres won in the shootout, but the point was enough for the Bruins to clinch a playoff spot. After the game, the players came off the bench and went to centre ice, raising their sticks to the fans, who began another "U.S.A.!" chant.

Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs pledged $100,000 to the One Fund Boston, the charity established to help families affected by the bombing; the Garden, the NHL and the players association pledged $50,000 each. Ads on the dasher boards and the video screens gave the website address for the fund.

Bruins players and staff collected 80 tickets to the game to donate to the first responders. Forward Brad Marchand raffled off his own suite for the team's first playoff game, with the proceeds to go to the family of 8-year-old Martin Richards, who was killed in the blast.

During the game's first break, public address announcer Jim Martin asked any runners from Monday's race to stand up; many were wearing their finishers' medals. He then asked for applause for anybody who has ever ran; by the time he recognized anyone who has ever volunteered or watched the race, virtually the entire crowd was standing.

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